Family Memorial and Reunion

Last weekend we traveled to Wisconsin for a memorial of M's parents and a rare reunion of her seven brothers and sisters and spouses.  This tree north of Spring Green was one of the most beautiful I have even seen in all its Fall glory late in the afternoon sun.

We arrived just as the sun set and drove to the new home of one of M's brothers and sisters-in-law.  The table was set and we enjoyed the first of many great times around good food and company in their beautiful contemporary home (our favorite style).

The next morning we could see the home clearly sitting on a hill overlooking peaceful pastures, grazing cattle, and corn fields.  The natural light from the floor to ceiling windows on both sides is amazing.

There is so much open space with the kitchen on one side and the book shelves opposite, that all twenty of us had room to spare.

I love the copious use of wood and the contemporary Rais wood burning stove.

We had three absolutely wonderful days of warm temperatures and mostly sunny days.  I could live on this sun porch.  I always said that I like a home with a "vista" and this one has it.  Across the field and beyond the first trees is Taliesin, the Frank Lloyd Wright home, studio and farm.

Here is some of the detail of the construction of the home.

Since the siblings lost their Mother this past May, this was the most convenient time for them to gather and remember their parents at this time of reunion.  A tree was planted on the property in remembrance of their parents.  I have known this family since 1956 when their Father moved to town to be my pastor.  They are a little older now.

The tree planting took all the muscles of the brothers plus a little Grandson.

Since the Marquardts started out in Wisconsin, it was fitting to have this memorial in the home state and complete the circle of life.

What is a farm without a tractor and hayride?

We rode through the pastures where Daniel raises Devon cattle since his retirement from working in Chicago.  What a beautiful area!

Here we are minus one... with a few second and third generation children.

This is the picture of the "farm house" taken from the Taliesin property.  They are truly neighbors to Frank.

We got a late afternoon tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's studio, and home by one of the Foundation's Board Members... my brother-in-law.  We were able to see things that you don't see on the tours.

One highlight was a brief concert in the living room by four ladies from the area, one being our sister-in-law, on the cello.  I wish you could see that "barrel chair" in the background better.

Looking out the living room window the sun was reflecting off the Wisconsin hillside.  What great memories and fun we had together.

All good times do come to an end and as we left the farm the fog was heavy over the river ahead.

The trees were definitely hitting their peak as we headed west to Minnesota and North Dakota and the rest of the family scattered to Iowa, Arizona, Washington, Michigan, Oklahoma, 
Arkansas, and Italy.

Plans for another reunion were discussed but the person who was voted to be hostess for the next one  had a quick reply: "I am not going to be home that year."  (We elected her after she had left.)  So whether we have another or not, it will be hard to beat our time in Wisconsin.  Thanks D and L for being great hosts to your family!